In a statement to the City this morning, the UK retail chain revealed that Wild, currently senior vice president for new business development at Wal-Mart US, will take up the reins at Halfords on August 4th.

Boasting an impressive CV in major league retailing, Manchester-born Wild was previously president and MD of Wal-Mart Germany and, before that, spent 18 years at Tesco, latterly as group supply chain director.

"We are delighted that David will be joining Halfords," said Halfords Group chairman Richard Pym. "He brings over 20 years' retailing experience, gained at two world-leading businesses, and clearly has the skills and ability to move the company forward. We are confident that David will add tremendous value to Halfords and we look forward to him joining the team.

"On behalf of the team, I would lilke to thank the two executives, Paul McClenaghan, director of trading, and Nick Wharton, finance director, who have led the company very well as acting joint managing directors since Ian McLeod's departure and I know they are both looking forward to working with David to continue to drive the Halfords business."

Wild added: "I am very excited to be joining Halfords. It's a business I have known and admired from the outside for many years. Halfords has some very attractive market positions and exciting opportunities for continued growth, as well as sound defensive qualities. I am delighted to be joining such a strong team and I look forward to leading the company on to further successes."